VOA标准英语2012--Construction Begins on National African American Museum

Construction Begins on National African American Museum

After decades of planning, the Museum of African American History and Culture is being built on the National Mall in Washington.
President Obama, former first lady Laura Bush and other dignitaries took part in the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday near the Washington Monument. Mr. Obama called the museum a crowning¹ jewel for future generations, including his two young daughters.
"When future generations hear these songs of pain and progress and struggle and sacrifice I hope they will not think of them as somehow separate from the larger American story," said President Obama. "I want them to see it as a central and important part of our shared story - a call to see ourselves in one another."
Congressman² and former civil rights leader John Lewis spent years trying to get lawmakers to approve the museum project.
"We must tell the story the whole story, the 400-year story of African American contributions to this nation's history from slavery to the present," said Lewis.
When the $500-million African American History Museum opens in late 2015, its bronze-colored building is expected to attract more than 3 million visitors each year. It will be the largest museum anywhere to focus on African Americans. Inside, visitors will be able to view thousands of artifacts.
Lonnie Bunch is the museum's director:
"By helping³ to birth this museum so that everyone who visits will realize that we are all touch, shape and enriched⁴ by African American history and culture all the day and everyday," said Bunch.
So far, museum officials have collected 20,000 historical items from around the country. And while the exhibits⁵ will cover the entire sweep of the African-American experience - they will pay special attention to the institution of slavery, a painful chapter in American history. Bunch says the Smithsonian museum in Washington will encourage people to visit hundreds of other local African American museums across the country.
"If we are telling the story of slavery, we hope once you leave us [museum] it will encourage someone to go to the museum in South Carolina or a museum in the South to learn more about slavery," he said.
Smithsonian officials say when the museum is finished, it will go a long way in teaching⁶ future generations about the African American experience.

 

1 crowning   

adj.最高的，无比的；至高无上

参考例句：

• The cathedral is the crowning glory of the city. 大教堂是这座城市至高无上的骄傲。
• Her crowning glory is her hair. 最使她容貌生辉的是她的头发。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

2 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 enriched   

使富有( enrich的过去式和过去分词 )； 使富裕； 充实； 使丰富

参考例句：

• The study of science has enriched all our lives. 科学研究丰富了我们的整个生活。
• breakfast cereals enriched with vitamins 增加了维生素的早餐谷物食品

5 exhibits   

v.陈列，展览( exhibit的第三人称单数 )；表现；显示；[法律]当庭出示（证件、物证等）

参考例句：

• Many exhibits with characteristics of the Chinese art are on display. 许多具有中国艺术特色的展品陈列出来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• One is dazzled by the endless array of beautiful exhibits. 展品琳琅满目，美不胜收。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 teaching   

n.教学，执教，任教，讲授；(复数)教诲

参考例句：

• We all agree in adopting the new teaching method. 我们一致同意采取新的教学方法。
• He created a new system of teaching foreign languages.他创造了一种新的外语教学体系。